"This way sir." Rudra and Bhavya followed the staff who was welcoming them in. It was an open area with few trees surrounded.

"Only a few are there," Bhavya spoke out loud glancing at the surrounding area. She inhaled deeply as the cool breeze hit her nostrils.

Most of the surface area was enclosed with carpet and some portion of the land was left as it is. Bricks were laid at the corners, intended to be used in the foundation after the Bhoomi puja. Bhavya looked around for her family member, around. Amusingly she found Annika and Shivaay standing at the farthest corner speaking to one of the committee members.

"Have I dressed appropriately? I have worn jeans and a top." Bhavya looked down scanning her outfit. Wearing an off-shoulder blue Riffles denim Bardot top paired with black pants, she felt eerie amongst all guests.

"No fine. Fashion is comfort." He laughed softly seeing her nervous about her dressing. "But we match together." He added glimpsing his casual outfit.

"Annika bhabi...take me there." She pleaded to him wanting to meet Annika as fast as she could, pointing in her direction. Rudra cackled at her enthusiasm.

"Come." He crashed her fingers with her and walked past people to meet them.

.

"I wish you guys will join dinner with us." One of the business partners happily said to them.

"We would love to, but we are having a busy schedule. Next time." Annika declined with the sweetest voice.

After a few minutes of conversation, they both were alone. Both inwardly sighed and took their seats beside Chachi, who was busy shouting at her son through the phone. Shivaay shook his head and tried covering his ears with his hands but stopped seeing his wife glare at him. Passing a huge stupified smile, he leaned back.

"Will Sahil be able to take care of Zuri?" Shivaay asked still closing his eyes. In his thoughts, he believed that he was only competent to manage him.

"He is good. And Tiger like Sahil." Hearing her he twisted his mouth in annoyance. Annika chuckled seeing him in his 'Jealous Singh Oberoi' avatar.

Wearing a faux georgette a-line black Kurti, enhanced with golden print and crafted in round neck and quarter sleeves she looked gorgeous. Adding with them, a smart wrist adorned her wrist matching with her outfit.

"Hai." Rudra awkwardly waved in front of them. Annika smiled watching him frightened of her. Well, that was the result of her outburst.

"You know. I'm not so jadhalu type."  She grinned with a phrase she added with her name. "No need to be scared of me." She added.

"Well that was the first time, bhaiya curled up after being scolded. And that was amusing to me." Shivaay tried giving a stink eye to Rudra, however, Rudra wasn't affected by his glares.

"That has been on his regular basis." Annika balanced herself on her toes and planted a loud kiss on his cheeks, seeing him with a scowling face. He smiled at her acts, first, she would degrade in front of others but never let others do the same.

"Awee. That was pretty cool." Bhavya chirped happily watching them. An ideal couple. "Opps sorry. I will introduce myself. I'm Bhavya Rathod. ACP of Mumbai south. And Rudra's wife." She added seeing Shivaay with a confused face.

"I know you. You lead the team when Annika was kidnapped. Thank you." Shivaay stepped to her and thanked them. Bhavya was left with wide eyes and an open mouth at the thoughts of him remembering her.

"You know? I thought you would never remember a minor officer." She said sincerely. She was dumbfounded with his gentlemanly acts, subsiding all rumours.

"You aren't a minor character. It's because of you Annika is with me." After wasting a second Bhavya hugged him with bliss. It was the first time someone was not judgmental and honestly praised her.

"Eww. Don't cry. Silly." Annika commented with a sly smile on her lips as Bhavya teared up.

"I... I never had a chance to talk to you.  Hello." Bhavya awkwardly stepped back from Shivaay and spoke addressing Annika.

"Who weeps for this? You silly." Rudra laughed hearing bhabi drill his wife. It was a sight to watch, his almost family were together and only a few were left.

"I need to tell you both something." Rudra fiddled his finger and hung his head down. "We are having a baby. Bhavya is 9 weeks long."

He was startled when Chachi Ji abruptly stood up from her seat. Her face held a horrified expression. Though she wanted to speak some untold truth she couldn't. Her eyes held worry that he would feel perhaps he didn't know why should be worried. For whom?

"Annika, damad Ji why don't you both go for a walk." Rudra stood shocked. He was hurt, when Chachi indirectly asked Shivaay to leave the conversation at a halt. He wanted to share his happiness but that wasn't an ideal way.

"Chachi Ji. I'm strong, even Annika is. And I won't ever take that step again." Shivaay bend a bit and whispered into her ears. Not having any words, she nodded. It was pure helplessness for her.

Rudra gaped at his brother as he leaned over and whispered something, that he didn't hear. His bhabi had a neutral expression before it turned into a huge smile, another side his brother was the same as before. Believing his not so liking towards kids, he brushed it off.

"Congratulations to parents to be. Bhavya, sorry I don't have anything to gift you. Like shagun." Annika pulled out her bag and searched for anything that can be given.

"Congrats both of you." Shivaay gave small hug to Rudra and parted away.

His heart ached.

Ached till it was on borderline.

But he can't ask them to suppress their happiness for him.

He wasn't a sadist.

His share of joy was already gone.

And he never knew of it.

He didn't know it existed.

Maybe he could do something.

Or maybe not. The family was occupied.

He had none.

All gone. Just smiles here and there when meet.

All he has is his wife.

He didn't deserve it. Nor his wife.

Altogether blamed to be his priorities.

"No need bhabi. Just your blessings are enough." Bhavya smiled through her tear-filled eyes seeing such a lovely response. Her heart swelled in happiness.

"I have crossed 30. Speaking of which I am 32, and work pressure is too much. That's the reason. Even Rudra is 28, I guess we can manage." Bhavya calculated. She wasn't the usual woman, stressing on stereotype. She was an open young-spirited woman who didn't mind the age difference Rudra and she had.

"That's thought-full. Get your priorities straight, this moment will never come again even if you yearn." Shivaay advised smilingly.

Chachi Ji was taken back by their strong words. She was expecting Annika to break down after hearing Bhavya's pregnancy. When she didn't her respect grew ten more folds. Monali wondered how mastered they were in hiding their pain. One and half a month back he had attempted to end his life after learning of his child and now he was preaching to others.

"Don't take any harsh decision. Talk about anything before the rush." Though Bhavya and Rudra didn't understand any of their words they vaguely nodded.

.

"How are you, Annika?" Jhanvi asked gripping her clutch. Donning a beautiful dark green jacquard work silk designer saree she looked not a day more than forty.

"Your and your husband's blessings I'm happy." Annika's sarcastic comment resembled a dagger shot her, dipped in venomous solution.

Gauri shot a glare a shot her sister for her sarcasm. However, one frustrating look from her husband made her stop her next moves.

"That's great to hear. I heard from Shivaay which I honestly didn't know. I'm extremely sorry for being one of the reasons." Gauri stood gaping at her mother in law who was by now, bowing her head in shame.

"Thank you for making me realise that, not even blood relatives stand by us when we don't have anything. Now as Shivaay was proved innocent all are gathering like ants around sweet. That's the power of authority, money and designation." She smiled sadly.

"I believe one should never regret in life. If it's good it's wonderful, and if it's bad it's an experience. In all these mishaps our child was sacrificed. He/She deserved better." Gauri was about to ask about her philosophical words when none of them talked further quit as her husband pulled her back.

"I will go call home and check on Tiger." Shivaay looked at her as she walked out of the conversation. He completely understood her plight and stayed mum.

"I'm working on the property distribution. I have contacted Priyanka to come for her signature. Please inform Dadi to be there on this month-end in the registered office." Jhanvi nodded her head. Though she wanted to speak many more, she can't. However, after seeing Shivaay's behaviour her words died inside her.

Gauri looked surprised, all we're familiar with was the topic they were talking about but her alone. Even her husband was. His concerned expression sacred her. He knew of it. Her chains of thoughts broke hearing her Chachi argue.

"Sir let them participate in the ceremony. I will bring them to the bureau." Monali whispered, yet her high pitched tone was audible to the rest of the audience.

"I understand. Also, only connected people are invited." Mahira's unsolicited tone didn't help it either.

"What do you mean? It's about my daughter and son-in-law, how am I not connected?" Monali remarked with anger. Gauri's soul was downtrodden hearing her.

She had none to rely on. Her mother was already favouring the elder daughter and her aunt had unofficially adopted Annika. She had no one to call her paternal family leaving her husband's. Her daughter had none to call Nani.

"You don't understand officers. My son in law is just out from the hospital and my daughter is exhausted with all matters. I need to be with them." Akash rolled his eyes watching her over the melodramatic version. She was no doubt loud.

"Ji you can if you insist." Hav Abdullah smiled at her protectiveness. Akash glared at him for speaking without permission but he just smiled sheepishly.

"Why are you guy here?" Gauri asked sensing to interfere.

"We have found Mr Tej Oberoi and his aid."

*****
Hello.
My school has been shut with excessive covid cases contracted by my teacher. Only for a few days, I guess.

How was the chapter? Tej is back.

Waiting for your votes and comments.
:-P